A physician and businessman on Tuesday became the third Republican to seek the District 123 seat in the Georgia House.

Flanked by civic leaders, including former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver and state transportation board member Don Grantham, Mark Newton announced his campaign as a leader and “bridge builder,” representing parts of Richmond and Columbia counties in District 123.

Newton joined former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and attorney Wright McLeod in the race for the seat, which comes open when Barbara Sims retires next year.

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce members got an earful Thursday night from residents of the Camelot subdivision who were upset over the organization’s plans to build a new headquarters at the neighborhood’s entrance on Washington Road.

Chamber President and CEO Tammy Shep­herd arranged a “listening session” and cookout Thursday to present the plans and allow residents to voice concerns.

The Columbia County Orchestra will kick off its season at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, with a free pops concert at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

The free concert will feature an array of music from the best of Green Day to selections from Les Miserables and The Sounds of Music. It’s the first of four concerts which will be presented during 2015; the second half of the season has yet to be determined, according to Rob Nordan, executive and music director of the orchestra.

A Columbia County teen sentenced to life without parole for murdering a 14-year-old neighbor was fairly tried and convicted, the Georgia Supreme Court has ruled.

In an opinion released Monday, Sept. 7, the state’s highest court determined that not only the conviction but the sentence imposed on Lacy Aaron Schmidt was fair for the Jan. 31, 2011, slaying of Alana Calahan.